“For anyone,” says Duke Voice Care Center Clinical Coordinator/Speech Pathologist and Professional/Singing Voice Specialist Leda Scearce, “the voice is a central part of self-identity and self-esteem. All of us rely on our voices for our daily communication at work and for interaction with our friends and family. Many others, such as singers, actors, teachers, attorneys, clergy, and athletic coaches need healthy voices to do their jobs. This annual celebration of the voice is part of our mission to provide access to vocal health information to everyone.”

Duke Voice Care Center Director Dr. Dave Witsell adds, “Our collaboration with the North Carolina Symphony is a natural one since the voice is an instrument that we all play each and every day. Just like an accomplished musician, knowing how your instrument works helps you to take care of it, play it better, make your voice last a lifetime!”

Today I attended a very affirming Vocal Health Fair in celebration of the upcoming World Voice Day, April 16th. World Voice Day Celebration 2008 at Meymandi Concert Hall at downtown Raleigh’s Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, featured vocalist Rozlyn Sorrell, the world-class specialists of the Duke Voice Care Center and Host Grant Llewellyn, North Carolina Symphony Music Director. It was interesting to see the variety of folks who attended the free event. In the lobby area they had demonstrations of video recordings of the vocal cords in action as well as computerized acoustic voice analysis, and professionals available to discuss how the voice works, how to care for the voice and keep it healthy, what kinds of voice problems people can have and best treatment practices. The line was very long for the acoustic voice analysis. That was very intriguing to listen as individuals spoke into a microphone and watched their voices displayed on the computer screen. There was a variety of information available specific to teachers, singers, actors, and other kinds of performers and individuals who use their voices exclusively in their professions in addition to the information regarding voice health. Refreshments of fruit, cheese and crackers were available to participants.

Following the Vocal Health Fair they welcomed everyone into Meymandi Hall where Ms. Sorrell sang wonderfully, Maestro Llewellyn lead the audience in a singing activity and a round table question and answer discussion took place with the specialists from The Duke Voice Care Center, Ms Sorrell and Maestro Llewellyn taking questions from the floor. This discussion was interesting and again affirming as I was able to say the information relayed follows the same philosophies I teach. One thing of note that I had not heard in such a specific way was that the body produces one liter of snot a day. This is the mucus our body uses to protect the tender tissues in the body. It is so important to keep this snot/mucus liquid. Drink water! Like I say, 1/2 your body weight in ounces a day!

Three and a half years ago I conducted a Vocal Health break-out session for the Nashville, Kindermusik Educators Association Convention (before the Partnership of Kindermusik Educators took over in 2006). Much of this same information is available on the Duke Voice Center website. I encourage you to take care of your voice, it is the only instrument you have!

In our Kindermusik classes, especially Village (baby) class we explore the idea of playing with start and stop in many of our activities. This game we play with an activity utilizes a part of the brain that also is used for transitions, and turn taking. Anticipation is built as we wait for a cue from the children to move on with the activity. We additionally explore this stop and go aspect in the music we enjoy often in class. Music is sound and movement, and it is silence and stillness. Just as we experience art in terms of where it begins and ends in space, we experience music in terms of where it begins and ends in the time that surrounds it.

Watch the following video as it explores the concept of stop and go in New York’s Grand Central Station as 207 individuals simultaneously FREEZE in place for five minutes. IT is the ultimate stop and go activity!

Yes, April is Autism Awareness Month and there are many things occuring in the media to call attention to Autism Spectrum Disorders. It is becoming much more common for Autism to touch everyone’s lives in some way.

Kindermusik is uniquely chosen by families of children with autism because of its ability to touch their lives in a variety of ways. The challenges a family whose child is autistic faces deal with communication, verbalization, eye contact, socialization, emotional expression and repetition. The way music and movement are used as a tool to enhance growth in these areas make Kindermusik a wonderful match for increasing skill in the same areas of development while assisting mom and dad with an additional avenue of bonding.

If you are interested in learning more about the impact music has on Autism Spectrum Disorders just google Autism and Music.

Other awareness activities and events are planned not directly related to music’s impact. If you live in the Triangle area you might want to attend a free presentation in RALEIGH, NC – As part of his continuing health series, John C. Pittman, MD, of the Carolina Center for Integrative Medicine (CCIM), will present “Autism Spectrum Disorder: Treating Pervasive Developmental Disorders” on Tuesday, April 8 from 7:00-8:00PM. This free presentation is sponsored by Triangle Compounding Pharmacy and will be held at CCIM’s office located at 4505 Fair Meadow Lane, Suite 111 in Raleigh. Dr. Pittman will discuss how Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) and other DAN (Defeat Autism Now) Protocol modalities are being used to help children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Or keep your ears and eyes attuned to CNN’s website for special articles and videos from families impacted by autism.